Original Article

Assessment of Atrial Electromechanical Coupling Characteristics and P-Wave Dispersion in Patients with Atrial Septal Aneurysm

Authors: Mehmet Demir, MD, Canan Demir, MD

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate atrial conduction abnormalities obtained by Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) and electrocardiogram analysis in Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) patients.


Methods: A total of 30 patients with ASA (11 males/19 females, mean age 29.6 ± 11.3 years) and 25 controls (9 males/16 females, mean age 27.6 ± 9.98 years) were included. Interatrial and intraatrial electromechanical coupling (PA) intervals were measured with DTI. P-wave dispersion (Pd) was calculated from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) functions were measured by using conventional echocardiography and DTI.


Results: Atrial electromechanical coupling at the left lateral mitral annulus (PA lateral) was significantly delayed in ASA patients (59.3 ± 4.2 vs 48.5 ± 1.1 ms, P < 0.0001). Interatrial (PA lateral - PA tricuspid) and intraatrial (PA septum - PA tricuspid) electromechanical coupling interval were significantly longer in ASA patients (26.1 ± 6.2 vs 14.4 ± 6.75 ms, P < 0.0001 and 9.04 ± 1.1 vs 5.4 ± 2.5 ms, P < 0.0001). maximum P-wave (Pmax) duration and Pd were significantly longer in ASA patients (98.3 ± 8.1 vs 86.4 ± 7.8 ms, P < 0.001 and 20.7 ± 0.9 vs 12.3 ± 1.5, P < 0.0001). Systolic and diastolic left ventricular functions of both groups were comparable.


Conclusion: This study shows that atrial electromechanical coupling intervals and Pd are delayed in ASA patients.

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